We're heading into a new trilogy in the Reading Valdemar project. Mel (Grab the Lapels), Jackie (Death by Tsundoku), and I had mixed feelings about Mercedes Lackey's rather uneven Collegium Chronicles (Where was the plot? How old are these kids? How do we feel about Kirball? Are we thoroughly upset about the treatment of Amily … Continue reading Reading Valdemar: Closer to Home
Reading Valdemar
Reading Valdemar: Bastion
After five months, five books, a whole lot of Kirball, and a boatload of teen angst (from the characters, not from the readers), Jackie, Mel, and I have completed Mercedes Lackey's Collegiate Chronicles, which turned out to be not at all about the founding of the Heraldic Collegium at all (much to our surprise). What … Continue reading Reading Valdemar: Bastion
Reading Valdemar: Redoubt
Redoubt (The Collegium Chronicles #4)by Mercedes LackeyFantasy330 pagesFirst published in 2012 So. Four books into a series. Far more books into this world. A few dozen published books under her belt. You would think that Lackey would have this whole plot thing figured out but. . . Maybe not? Maybe she was just phoning this … Continue reading Reading Valdemar: Redoubt
Reading Valdemar: Intrigues
...while there are still plenty of slice-of-life goings on, we're presented with a book that has 47.3% more plot
Reading Valdemar: Foundation
Mags has had a rough life. The son of bandits who were killed in a skirmish when he was a baby, Mags was "adopted" by a cruel mine owner and put to work as soon as he could accomplish minor tasks. Now at thirteen, Mags lives and works in the mine, gathering sparklies, and helping … Continue reading Reading Valdemar: Foundation
Reading Valdemar: Storm Rising
Storm Rising (Mage Storms #2) by Mercedes Lackey Fantasy 412 pages First published in 1995 by DAW In the second installment of Mercedes Lackey's Mage Storms trilogy, Karal discovers that being a full Sun-priest and ambassador isn't all it's cracked up to be. With his youth and apparent inexperience working against him, the majority of … Continue reading Reading Valdemar: Storm Rising
Reading Valdemar: Storm Warning
Wherein the nicest kid you'll ever meet comes from your country's worst foe, there's a new claimant to the Iron Throne, and the Austrians are definitely not invading.
Sunday Sum-Up, 07/07/2019
I headed to my little hometown for a couple of days this week for Independence Day. My parents, my twelve-year-old nephew, and I went out for ice cream on Wednesday and then headed out to watch the town's fireworks show after dark. Because my hometown is fairly small (about 5,600 people) and because it's a … Continue reading Sunday Sum-Up, 07/07/2019
#Reading Valdemar: Winds of Change
Winds of Change (Mage Winds trilogy #2) by Mercedes Lackey Fantasy 449 pages First published in 1992 by DAW In this second installment of Mercedes Lackey's Mage Winds trilogy, Elspeth, heir to the throne of Valdemar, officially becomes a member of the k'Sheyna clan of the Hawkbrothers in or order to continue her training … Continue reading #Reading Valdemar: Winds of Change
March Summary and April Preview
The first half of March was deepest, darkest winter, and while the second half was warmer, it was filled with nearby natural disasters that prompted water restrictions and prevented travel. I wanted to go to a nearby state park, but it was closed due to flooding. I wanted to go to a local park, … Continue reading March Summary and April Preview
Traveling in Books 